Comment: The following article appeared in the Cyprus Mail of Nicosia on 18 February 2005.

Famagusta group lobby MEPs for town’s reopening

FAMAGUSTA Mayor Yiannakis Skordis and municipal members yesterday
completed a three-day “lobby visit” to Brussels for meetings with MEPs
to promote the legal opening of the town’s port and the fenced off area.

Skordis said their suggestion, along similar lines to a government
proposal, is that any decision could be implemented gradually. He said
it could start with studies for the reconstruction of the closed part of
the town, uninhabited since 1974.

“A possible dispatch of EU experts who would be in a position to
strengthen the efforts exerted for the designing of the city and the
work that has to be carried out would indeed help in the outmost,” the
Municipality said in a memorandum given to parliamentarians.

According to Skordis their proposals are well received by MEPs,
while sources told the Cyprus Mail that Turkish Cypriots in the area
(including their ‘municipality’ members) are also positive as it would
help economic development in the region.

The Famagusta Mayor said the opening of the port and the fenced
off part of the town could work as a pilot project, with small measures
taken that could in the future help in solving other problems.

He also referred to the political benefits, as it would help
create a climate of cooperation, trust and faith in a future solution,
while at the same time preparing the ground for an overall bi-zonal,
bicommunal settlement.

Skordis underlined the economic benefits their proposal would
have, not only for Greek Cypriots but also the Turkish Cypriots living
in the region today as it would create jobs and facilitate development.

The Famagusta mayor said such a step would also prove Turkey is on
a European course.

He did however doubt the viability of the Famagusta port opening
without the closed area being inhabited.

The Famagusta municipality delegation heads to Luxembourg for
meetings today."